Quality of life of children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis and its relationship with parental stress

Abstract

ObjectiveTo determine the quality of life and parental stress in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). MethodsPatients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and their parents were interviewed by a trained nurse in the clinic. Demographic data of parent's education, income, children disease subtype, medications and disease severity were collected. Quality of life was assessed by the Juvenile Arthritis Quality of Life Questionnaire (JAQQ) and parental stress was assessed by Pediatric Inventory for Parents (PIP). Results69 Consecutive children with JIA were recruited. Those children with Polyarticular JIA subtype and with deformity as JIA disease severity grade had poor QOL and those parents of children with Polyarticular subtype and with deformity had high parental stress. The was negative correlation between the QOL and parental stress (r = −0.55; p = 0.003). ConclusionQuality of life in children with JIA depends on disease subtype and outcome. As the child's QOL decreases parental stress increases. Clinicians should adopt effective techniques to help parents understand their children's medical condition and support them.